What does rerecording mean?
Rerecording is the act of recording material again, usually to replace an earlier performance or create a revised version for a film, television programme, song, podcast, or other production. The term may denote either the process or the new recording produced by it. A rerecording can correct a technical problem, improve the quality of a performance, replace the work of an unavailable performer, or adapt material for a different audience or format. For example, a musician may rerecord vocals to match a revised instrumental track, while a film director may order a scene to be rerecorded because the original performance did not suit the finished edit. Unlike an original recording, a rerecording explicitly presupposes earlier recorded material. In grammatical use, rerecording is also the present participle and gerund of rerecord. Its prefix re- clearly signals repetition, making the word especially useful when the distinction between a first recording and a subsequent or replacement version is important.
A second or replacement recording of material that has previously been recorded; also the act of making such a recording.
"The rerecording was noticeably clearer than the version broadcast earlier."
The noun can be countable when referring to a particular new version and uncountable when referring to the general process.
Recording material again, especially in order to replace or revise an earlier recording.
"The engineers spent the afternoon rerecording the final chorus."
This form typically follows the auxiliary by and may also function as a gerund with another verb.
The plural is used for distinct new or replacement recordings; the activity itself is generally expressed without a plural.
"The alternate endings survived as several unofficial rerecordings of the song."
A rerecording gives an old performance a second take—and sometimes a completely new life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rerecording come from?
Rerecording combines the prefix re-, from Latin re- meaning “again” or “back,” with recording, which derives from Latin recordāre, “to call back” or “to recall.” Latin recordāre was formed from re- and cor, the root of the Latin word for “heart,” reflected in English cognates such as courage and cordial. The prefixed form rerecording developed by analogy with recording and is now especially associated with making a new or replacement version of recorded material.
Related word forms
How rerecording is actually used
The noun may refer to the process itself or to a distinct replacement recording. As a present participle, rerecording commonly follows by and describes an action, as in rerecording a performance or rerecording vocals. The word is especially common in broadcasting, film, music, and podcast-production contexts.
Easily confused with rerecording
A recording may be the original capture of a performance, whereas a rerecording replaces, revises, or supplements an earlier recording.